Some EU states wanted longer Russia sanctions ahead of Trump

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Some EU leaders sought to roll over economic sanctions against Russia for 12 months before a summit on Thursday agreed to a standard six-month renewal, summit chair Donald Tusk told a news conference. Diplomats said some hardliners who want to punish Moscow for its action in Ukraine were concerned that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could seek to ease pressure on Russia when he takes office next month and so wanted a longer sanctions renewal. Tusk said it was too early for the Union to assess what Trump's policy toward Russia would be. (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; @macdonaldrtr)